JOE KINNEAR yesterday moved to kill speculation that he is wavering in his commitment to become the next manager of the Republic of Ireland team.

A statement attributed to the Wimbledon manager after he had met with FAI officials in London on Thursday seemed to indicate he needed further clarification of the position being offered.

"The inference was that I was in some way losing interest in taking over from Jack Charlton. But that, as anybody who knows me will testify, is simply not the case.

"I am on record from a long way back as saying that I was interested in managing Ireland and nothing has since happened to make me change my mind.

"If it were otherwise, would I have gone out of my way to have a clause inserted in my contract with Wimbledon guaranteeing my release by the club if I got the Ireland job?

"I hope to be travelling to Dublin next week to reinforce that point in a further meeting with the FAI. But at this stage, I want to make it clear that I was misquoted on Thursday."

Meanwhile, the manner in which the FAIL hash set about the task of replacing Charlton is occasioning some controversy. The point was highlighted yesterday by Mick McCarthy, the first of five applicants to be interviewed on Wednesday.

Asked on the first division promotion chasers "Club call" service whether he could take the Republic job and carry on as Lions boss until the end of the season, he said: "I have no idea. I would like to think so, but it was never discussed."

The FAI were believed to be ready to appoint Kenny Dalglish part time, but may not make the same arrangement with anyone who does not have the sky high profile of Blackburn's director of football.

However, they have made it clear to clubs that the only obligation this season for the man they appoint is the friendly international against the Czech Republic in Prague on March 27th.

But McCarthy insisted there is still a lot of talking to do before Jack Charlton's successor is decided.

"I know it sounds strange, but it was nothing like a job interview," said McCarthy.

"They had five or six people along just to have a discussion and they will probably have one of them back and discuss the job with them.

"It was a chat about football for an hour, nothing like an interview. Finer details were never brought up."

The Yorkshireman made clear his interest in the job, saying: "It is the only time I have ever considered speaking to anybody else, whether it be another football club or anyone, because it is the international manager's job for Ireland."

But he admitted he would be "glad either way when media interest died down, whether or not he got the job.

"It could have been done quieter," he complained. "I think it should have been done in a more dignified manner instead of having television cameramen walking up and down outside the hotel."

FAI official hope to complete their first round interviews by speaking with Ronnie Whelan this weekend. The six man selection board will then convene on Tuesday to decide on their next course of action.

A spokesman said yesterday that they were still on schedule to bring back a recommendation to the Executive Committee within the next fortnight, and it is hoped to have the new manager in place by the third week in February.

John Adams, the chairman of Southend United, said yesterday that Whelan is under contract to them as player/manager of the club until 1998 and Southend were anxious that he saw it out with them.

Whelan himself appears to be torn at least in part by the conflict between club and country.

"It is very flattering to be linked with the position, but I am under contract at Southend and don't see any reason to walk away from that," he said.

"Obviously I've got to be interested in the Irish job, though. To manage the country of your birth and one you have played for is a fantastic honour."

The possibility of Irish fans having to pay to watch the national team in action was almost: certainly heightened yesterday after FAI officials had met with Sky television executives in London.

Ostensibly, the purpose of the exercise was to discuss the possibility of Sky showing some of the action from the FAI National League next season.

Others saw in that an opportunity for the television company to improve their bargaining clout for the rights to screen Ireland's games exclusively. This is a prize which has long attracted Sky who have already recompensed the National League to the extent of Pounds 1.5 million for loss of revenue occasioned by direct competition with televised football.

Presumably, more money will be on offer if they chose to promote the National League. But, for some, it will be very expensive money if it means having to pay to watch Ireland's games on the satellite channel.

RTE's contract with the FAI is not due to expire until the completion of the 1998 World Cup, but in the light of yesterday's developments, Montrose officials may now seek an early meeting with those in authority in Merrion Square.